Battery-zinc



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES E. SCHOENMEIIL, OF \VATERBURY, CONNECTICUT.

BATTERY-ZINC. I

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 467,239, dated January19, 1892.

Application filed April 25, 1891. Serial No. 390,397. (No model.)

' at Waterbury, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut,have invented certam new and useful Improvements in Battery- Zincs; andI do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in zincelements for batteries, and has for its object to provide a device ofthis description which shall be simple and economical, in which thegreatest service may be obtained from the zinc used, and which shall beself-amalgamating; and with these ends in view myinvention consists inthe details'of construction and the combination of elements hereinafterfully explained,and then recited in the claims.

In the drawings which form a part of this specification, Figure 1 showsin section a battery-jar having therein shown in elevation a zinc madein accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of thezinc; Fig. 3, a dietail elevation of a part of the connectingro Likenumerals denote the same parts in all the figures. V

The jar, which I designate by the numeral 1, is provided with anyordinary cover 2,which latter has a hole for the introduction of thezinc. Any other elements required may be attached to the cover in anysuitable manner; but as this forms no part of my invention I have notshown it in the drawings.

My improved zinc consists of a bar of zinc 3 of such size and sectionalshape as may be found convenient. Its upper end bears a nipple 4, andsaid zinc, as seen at 5, is centrally bored for the greater portion ofits length. Into the upper end of the hole just referred to is screwed arod 6, having a groove or channel 7 cut in its side near its lower end.

8 is a tube of glass or porcelain which fits over the nipple 4 andsurrounds the rod 6. Between it and the top of the zinc is a washer 9 ofleather or rubber.

10 is a washer seated on the top of the tube and having its lower endprojecting into the bore of the latter. On top of this washer is a nut11, which runs on the screw-threaded upper end of the rod, and abovethis is .a thumb-screw 12, by means whereof the parts may be heldsecurely in engagement, and whereby the line-wire may be attached.

13 is an elastic ring adapted to surround the glass tube, as shown, andto hold the zinc suspended in the jar by resting upon the top of thelatter.

The dotted line 14 in Fig. 1 indicates the depth to which the jar'may befilled.

In the operation of my invention the thumbscrew, nut, and Washer areremoved from the top of the zinc. A certain quantity of mercury is thenpoured into the tube, the parts replaced, and tightly secured. Thismercury will descend through the channel to the interior of the zinc andany excess will stand in the tube. This mercury serves to amalgamate thezinc. In order that it may not sutfer from contact with the mercury, rod6 is made of iron; but it is of sufficient size to atford ampleconductivity. In addition to its function as a holder for the mercurythe glass tube, by reason of its smooth surface, prevents the upwardcreeping of the salts, and of course it is non-corrosive. prevents wasteof zinc, inasmuch as the whole zinc is exposed to the-action of thesolution, and when consumed may readily be replaced without leaving, asin ordinary batteries, an upper endsaytwo or three inches longto bethrown away or remelted. In replacing zincs it is onlynecessary toloosen the thumb-screw and washers and screw the lower end of the rodinto the upper end of the new stick of zinc, since the glass tube, rod,washers, &c., may be used over and over again.

I claim- 1. A battery-zi 11c consisting of a hollow zinc stick, aconnecting-rod screw-threaded into said stick, a glass tube surroundingsaid rod and forming a continuation of the zinc stick, andmeans, asdescribed, for holding the parts in assembled position, substantially asspecified.

2. A battery-zinc consisting of a hollow stick of zinc, a connecting-rodscrew-threaded therein and provided with a channel leading Itfurthermore to the interiorof said stick, aglass tube form- It 12, allthe parts being arranged as and for ing a continuation of said zincstick, and the purpose specified. to washers and fastening-nuts wherebythe parts In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in are tightlysecured together. presence of two Witnesses.

5 3. The zinc stick 3,i11 combination with the CHARLES E. SCIIOENMEIIL.

screw-threaded rod 6, having channel 7, the \Vitnesses: glass tube 8,the washers 9 and 10, the sus- WILSON I1. PIERCE,

pending-ring 13, and the n ut and thumb-screw FRANK J. PAGE.

